National Tulip Day in Amsterdam
National Tulip Day, known in Dutch as Nationale Tulpendag, is the official launch of the tulip season. Every year, on the third Saturday of January, Amsterdam’s Dam Square is filled with approximately 200,000 tulips. These tulips are specially arranged to make a giant temporary garden, which is open to the public for flower picking. And the best part – it’s free!
Tulips are the unofficial flower of the Netherlands. Tulpen Promotie Nederland (also known as Tulip Promotion Netherlands in English, or TPN) launched this event in 2012 to promote tulips to locals and visitors alike.
Amsteram Tulip Day tips
If you want to enter the picking garden, get in early! The setting up of the tulip garden begins at 8am. Many people come before the opening time of 1pm to watch the elaborate unloading and arrangement of the flowers. The line can get quite long during this time, and you may have to wait up to an hour before you can enter.
For those who are happy to simply view the flowers, just make your way to the gates surrounding the garden. If you are lucky, someone already picking tulips may give you one!
Date and Time of Tulip Day in Amsterdam
National Tulip Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday of January. Set up begins at 08:00. The tulip garden will be open to visitors from 13:00 to 16:30.
Amsterdam Tulip Day location
The best way to get to Dam Square from Central Station is to simply walk there. It is a 10-minute walk down the Damrak or Nieuwendijk streets.
Those with mobility issues can reach Dam Square via trams 1, 2, 5, 13 or 17.
Tulip Day organisers contact
To get in touch with TPN, the foundation that organises this event, please use the contact form on their website at http://tulpenpromotie.nl/en/
Want more?
Watch this timelapse of National Tulip Day in 2015.